424. {427.} Ekadhammasavanīya (THA-AP429)

The Victor, Padumuttara,
was the Master of Everything.
While preaching the Four Noble Truths,
he ferried many folks across.

A matted-haired ascetic then,
I practiced fierce austerities.
Throwing off my clothes made of bark,
I traveled in the sky back then.

I am not then able to go
over him, the Best of Buddhas.
Like a bird that has struck a rock,
I am unable to proceed.

Having walked upon the water,
so I am flying through the sky.
Previously my behavior
never had been interrupted.

“Well now I’ll investigate that.
I might get some small benefit.”
Descending from the sky I then
heard the sweet sound of the Teacher,
who was preaching impermanence
with a voice that was enticing,
good to listen to, beautiful.
I took up that Teaching back then.

Having perceived impermanence,
I went back to my hermitage.
Remaining as long as I lived,
I later passed away right there.

In subsequent existences,
I recalled hearing the Teaching.
Due to that karma done very well,
with intention and firm resolve,
discarding my human body,
I went to Tāvatiṁsa then.

For thirty thousand aeons I
delighted in the world of gods,
and fifty-one times while there, I
exercised rule over the gods.

And twenty-one times I was then
a king who turns the wheel of law.
And I enjoyed much local rule,
innumerable by counting.

I enjoyed my own good karma,
being happy from birth to birth.
Recalling that perception, I
transmigrated from birth to birth.
I do not comprehend the end,
nirvana, the eternal state.

Sitting down in my father’s house,
a monk with senses well-controlled
was then explaining this sermon,
spoken about impermanence:

“In flux indeed is all that is;
things that arise and then decline
are being born and then dying;
happy is the relief from them.”

Right after having heard that verse,
I recalled my past perception.
Sitting down on a single seat,
I attained my arahantship.

When only seven years of age,
I attained my arahantship.
The Buddha himself ordained me:
the fruit of hearing the Teaching.

In the hundred thousand aeons
since I heard the Teaching back then,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
the fruit of hearing the Teaching.

My defilements are now burnt up;
all new existence is destroyed.
Like elephants with broken chains,
I am living without constraint.

Being in Best Buddha’s presence
was a very good thing for me.
The three knowledges are attained;
I have done what the Buddha taught!

The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
I have done what the Buddha taught!

Thus indeed Venerable Ekadhammasavanīya Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Ekadhammasavanīya Thera is finished.

Translated by Jonathan S. Walters.

Whitman College, 2017

Legends of the Buddhist Saints (Apadāna) is released under the Attribution, Non-Commercial, Share Alike license.

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